[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 107 (Thursday, June 26, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1365]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      IN RECOGNITION OF THE CENTENNIAL OF THE CITY OF POINT ARENA

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                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 2008

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
commemorate the 100th anniversary of the incorporation of the City of 
Point Arena on the Mendocino Coast in Northern California. Located 
along magnificently rugged headlands overlooking the Pacific Ocean to 
the west and bordered by redwood forests to the east, California's 
sixth smallest city (current population 501) is precariously 
``surrounded'' by the San Andreas Fault and watched over by the stately 
Point Arena Lighthouse.
  Self-described as a ``town of booms and declines'' Point Arena has 
survived three major fires and fueled a variety of enterprising 
possibilities. Historical anecdotes trace its heritage from the native 
Pomos to traders, lumberjacks and sea captains, from oil drillers and 
bootleggers to hippies and nuclear energy protestors.
  Prior to 1906, Point Arena was the ``busiest town between San 
Francisco and Eureka.'' More than 200,000 board feet of lumber came 
from the town mills. Point Arena was the main shipping port for 
agricultural products on the south Mendocino coast. After the 
earthquake in 1906 every brick building collapsed and every chimney and 
timbered dwelling came down.
  In the meantime, William Hanon, the editor of the town newspaper, the 
Point Arena Record, was elected to a term in the state legislature. 
While there he saw money and services handed out to incorporated cities 
and wanted Point Arena to get a share. Due to his foresight and 
persistence tiny Point Arena became incorporated July 6, 1908.
  By 1910 more than two dozen saloons graced the dirt road next to the 
headlands overlooking the Pacific. Until 1912 horse-drawn stagecoaches 
brought visitors and provisions. The main source of supplies, however, 
was the SS Sea Foam until it sank off the coast in 1931. A fire, 
started at the Grand Hotel on July 2, 1927, wiped out the town once 
again. By the 1930s Point Arena was rebuilt and many art deco and arte 
moderne remnants still stand downtown.
  Since then roads have been paved and the scenic Coast Highway One 
turns into Point Arena's Main Street. The pier has been revitalized 
with restaurants and inns and harbors a small fishing fleet. Main 
Street sports historic facades, coffee shops, bars and a theater as 
well as a new public kiosk describing Point Arena's status as a 
California Coastal National Monument gateway.
  Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognizing the city 
of Point Arena for a hundred years of determination and success. I 
would also like to salute the energetic and conscientious city council, 
which chose ``Still Crazy After all These Years'' as the motto for its 
centennial. And for their new colorful city seal featuring the 
indigenous Point Arena Mountain Beaver.

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